Redbox

The word on the street today is that Redbox is testing a new digital rental service, appropriately dubbed Redbox Digital. The beta test is available to a select number of Redbox users in the US, and an iPad-exclusive app for the service is already live on the App Store. This announcement comes after a previously failed attempt to break into the digital space and act as a competitor to Netflix.

Redbox, the service known for physical movie rentals via DVD kiosks, is making plans to once again dip its toe into the digital streaming market. A new report from Variety says the company is looking to resurrect Redbox Instant, the streaming service that was shut down in late 2014 after less than two years of operation in partnership with Verizon, with it now being called Redbox Digital.

Just in time for the holiday season, Redbox will be raising the daily rates of its DVD rentals, and following this will be a somewhat substantial price increase for video game rentals in early January. Redbox promises this change will come alongside some improvements to the user experience -- most notably in the form of personalized recommendations -- as well as deals. This follows the company nixing its instant video streaming service Redbox Instant in October due to low user interest.

While only a year and half old, Redbox Instant, the online moving streaming service from DVD-rental kiosk chain Redbox, will be shutting down next week on October 7th. Having launched in March 2013, in partnership with Verizon, Redbox Instant tried to differentiate itself from movie streaming giants Netflix and Hulu by offering dirt-cheap subscriptions plans, one of which combined streaming and DVD rentals.

Google's Chromecast dongle is getting a new streaming option, with Redbox Instant landing on the HDMI stick. The functionality, new to v1.5.1 of the Android app, means a new Cast button that pushes the stream from your smartphone or tablet to a Chromecast on the same WiFi network, just as we've seen from YouTube, Netflix, and other services.

Redbox, the red movie-dispensing machines that can be found in many stores across the nation, will soon be offering games for the next-generation gaming consoles, if a Coming Soon page recently spotted by a NeoGAF user is any indication. Starting next month, gamers will be able to rent discs for the Wii U, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.

Shortly after it was revealed that Redbox Instant will be coming to Chromecast, Roku has announced that the service is now available on most of its devices including the Streaming Stick. For those unfamiliar, Redbox Instant is the Netflix-esque video streaming service that accompanies the red DVD-dispensing boxes found in many stores.

Google Chromecast was a nice surprise that Google rolled out earlier this month, making a solid attempt to find its way into the streaming entertainment industry (again) with a $35 dongle and simple setup. Though cheap, the device has run into criticism over its lack of content, which is presently limited to Netflix, YouTube, and Google Play. That will be changing soon, however, as Redbox Instant and Vimeo gear up to add support for the device, and others consider following.

After being in closed beta for a few months, Redbox Instant is ready for public consumption (as previously rumored). The new movie-streaming service is Redbox's newest initiative in partnership with Verizon. The companies first announced first announced plans for Redbox Instant over a year ago, and it's now finally available for anyone wanting to sign up.

Redbox Instant is currently in beta as we speak, with a rumored official launch date sometime in March. Microsoft has announced today that the Xbox 360 will be the only gaming console getting access to the new streaming service. Upon an agreement with the Redmond-based company and Verizon (who is running Redbox Instant), Microsoft is getting exclusive console rights to Redbox Instant.

If you are excited at the thought of another streaming video service available to battle against Netflix and Hulu, you may already be familiar with the beta for Redbox Instant. Redbox is the kiosk DVD rental service that you can find just about every Walmart location in the country and a lot of other places as well. Redbox Instant began rolling out in late December of 2012 as a beta offering.

We were told earlier this month that Redbox Instant would be rolling out sometime later in December, and just in time for Christmas, the movie kiosk service is now rolling out its streaming option for select users. Redbox Instant is launching in beta mode, and while you can send in your email address for the chance to get access, the company is keeping it to a small group of testers.